Simple and elegant, these red rim serving bowls are a great choice for holiday entertaining because they don't go over-the-top with Christmas imagery, but have just enough color to still be seasonally appropriate. It is not, however, so dramatic that the bowls would look inappropriate at any other time of the year. They are not microwave safe, but as they are made of glass, the bowls could be used for cooking and prep work, as well as for serving. Sold in a set of three that includes small, medium and large bowls, the organic ellipse shapes look good even when the bowls are not in use. Price: $100.

Most of the pet bowls that we have seen over the past few months tend towards sleek and modern, often metallic, designs that look good in contemporary homes without actually looking like they're just dishes for the dog. Everyday Studio's Acrylic Pet Feeders keep the minimalist look, but add a tiny hint of color that looks less stark than some of those other bowls. The bowls come in three different sizes, appropriate for the size of a wide range of animals, and have removable rubber feet to prevent slippage. They are available in four colors: carnation, clementine, crystal clear and glacier. Price: $50-100, depending on size.

Pet bowls are usually put on the floor. Even with elevated bowls (link), the base is still situated on terra firma. Designer Susan Kralovec's bowls buck the trend, however, and come with a wall-mounting system that picks them up off the floor and puts them at the optimal level for your cat or dog. The Wall-Mounted Pet Bowls are made with 16-gauge, laser-cut steel and can be set to any height. The included bowls are removable, dishwasher safe and hold up to 1-quart each. At that size, they might be a little large for cats, but chances are good that your cat won't really mind. Price: $158.

For pet owners who are concerned that eating out of a ground-level bowl may be putting a crimp in your pup's lifestyle (or neck), take a look at the ergonomic Ultra Bowl Boosters from WetNoZ. Designed to hold their sleek, dual-purpose bowls, which act both as dishes and as scoops for dry food, the boosters come in two sizes (Big Pooch and Lil Pup) and raise bowls from 6-12 inches off the ground.

I have to say that I have never noticed a cat or dog - these bowls are uni-species - appearing to experience discomfort while eating, so buying these will not increase your pet's happiness as much as simply giving them more food would. If you have a modern home, the stainless steel and aluminum boosters will look fantastic, though, and definitely more stylish than a round, plastic bowl on the floor. Prices are $55 for large, $45 for small. Bowls sold separately.